Four New Building Safe Communities Launched

Calgary, September 4, 2012 – Once again, the Federation of Calgary Communities is engaging communities in the launch of the second wave of the Building Safe Communities pilot project.

The Building Safe Communities program is a crime prevention and safety pilot initiative launching in four additional communities: Chaparral, Hidden Valley, Scenic Acres and Riverbend, with emphasis on crime prevention through community engagement. These communities join the first three Building Safe Communities of Crescent Heights, Rosscarrock and Southwood.

This community engagement program supports both community associations and their residents to develop tools and initiatives that help create safe and caring communities. “This has been an exciting pilot project where neighbours are getting to know neighbours to reduce crime and increase feelings of safety in their neighbourhoods,” says Leslie Evans, Executive Director of the Federation of Calgary Communities.

The initial communities developed plans to address crime and safety issues in their communities. Their innovative initiatives have included distributing “My Neighbour Cards”, working with the local schools to get involved with the community, community clean ups, open houses, articles in newsletters, and taking back a park by working with City Parks to improve lighting, seating and cleanup. Other initiatives within the park included increased activities, such as BBQs and children’s activities, as well as a Photo Wall! Learnings from these initial communities are being compiled and will be uploaded to the virtual resource centre in the near future.

Building Safe Communities also includes a virtual resource centre housing numerous safety and crime prevention tools such as tip sheets, resources, links and more, for both community groups and individuals.

“These resources will help to enable citizens of Calgary to develop the capacity to create safe neighbourhoods through individual and group initiatives focusing on preventing and reducing crime,” says Evans.

Those communities not part of the Building Safe Communities pilot projects have access to the information, tools and resources on the virtual resource center. The Federation will also highlight key findings and successes of the pilot communities to assist others in their own crime prevention and safety plans.